Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority is inviting local farmers to join the Resilient Farm Network (RFN), a five-year programme (2025-2029) designed to promote climate-friendly and sustainable farming that enhances profitability.

The initiative aims to boost farm resilience and financial success while restoring nature, using farmer-led sustainability practices that equip farms to thrive amid environmental and economic pressures by providing essential tools, guidance and resources.

Three host farms will undergo thorough financial, environmental, enterprise and biodiversity assessments, along with regular support through a local discussion group, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and implementing farm improvements.

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A recent Scottish Environment LINK report emphasised how Scotland’s National Parks can better support sustainable farming, contributing more to environmental goals and rural economies. Farmers in the National Park receive the same funding as elsewhere, with additional funds available for projects aligning with National Park objectives—such as the RFN programme.

The National Park Authority is committed to keeping RFN farmer-driven, with a focus on peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, supported by advice and training. Local land managers will facilitate discussions, share insights and explore ideas for on-farm trials.

Daniel Stout, land management adviser at the Park Authority, will lead the programme. With a background in farm consultancy and crofting, Stout’s experience will help host farms make data-driven decisions that benefit their operations and the wider community.

Stout commented: “This is an exciting opportunity for forward-thinking farmers to lead by example, trialling new methods and refining their farming systems for the benefit of their own businesses and the wider farming community”.

“The Resilient Farm Network will bring local farmers together to find solutions that improve profitability and sustainability, building resilience to any future changes in support payments, climate, and market fluctuations.

In the context of upland livestock farming in the Park, this can be achieved by emphasising forage-based sheep and beef systems, better grassland management and sustainable parasite control. By improving production efficiency and lowering input costs, profitability can increase, positively impacting both carbon footprints and biodiversity.

A key feature of the programme is the ongoing review of financials, enterprise performance, and carbon, habitat and biodiversity metrics, allowing the programme to demonstrate the positive effects of management changes and highlight livestock farming’s contribution to these areas.

Key benefits to farmers:

- Farmer-led collaboration: Host farms work closely with local farmers and land managers to ensure decisions are informed by real-world expertise, creating innovation through shared experiences.

-Tailored support: Host farms receive free financial analysis, biodiversity audits, enterprise performance assessments and carbon foot printing, along with continuous support and guidance to demonstrate the benefits of different practices.

- Practical outcomes: The programme seeks to deliver measurable improvements in farm profitability and resilience, enabling farmers to sustainably optimise productivity while promoting nature restoration and habitat creation.

This programme aims to ensure the long-term viability of farming and land management within the park by promoting nature recovery, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration.

The Park Authority is hosting a free event for those interested in learning more about the RFN on Monday, October 28, at 7.15 pm at its headquarters in Balloch. The event will include a presentation from John Ritchie, a Perthshire farmer who improved his farm’s profitability and resilience by focusing on pasture-based production.

Farmers interested in becoming a Resilient Farm Network host farm are invited to submit an Expression of Interest by Sunday, November 10, 2024 by using the following link: https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/resilient-farm-network/